Today, Saturday, is the start of the 3rd Annual Family Snow Carving Competition, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Fairbanks. It is also the 3rd anniversary for Marci Ward, the organizer of the event. Asked how she came to conceive of this special snow celebration, she answered her good friend Heather Brice talked her into it. Heather, of course, is one of the founders of Ice Alaska as well as a recurring ice carver here.

The entry form for the event was on the Ice Alaska Facebook page and according to Marci, this is the year for the youngsters, as there are five  carvers, aged 12-17 years old, who signed up. Some of them have one or two years experience carving while some have never carved.   They are extremely fortunate this year to have two helpers (one being a veteran carver) helping them – Steve Cox and Troy Jackson – with Troy also going to carve his own piece.

The competition will last for two days. They can work until five this evening and from nine to three on Sunday. The Kiwanis Club is providing hand tools and lunch. Only Steve may handle a chain saw. Heather is responsible for providing the judges and judging will begin at three tomorrow.

Good luck everyone. It will be fun watching the giant blocks of snow being transformed into something fun and recognizable.